We'll post the latest scams here.
These examples may help you learn what an Inland Revenue scam looks like.
GST return scam
18 October 2020
Details that show that this is a scam:
- The e-mail comes from a strange address that doesn't contain ird.govt.nz.
- There is a dollar amount specified - we don't do this in a refund e-mail.
- The link does not go to an Inland Revenue address, even though it includes IRD. All of our links will start with ird.govt.nz
- The text is badly worded and there are extra spaces before and after punctuation
- The formatting of the e-mail is inconsistent - there are multiple different fonts used and the logo is very big.
Return due reminder scam
23 October 2020
Details that show this is a scam:
- Request for credit card or debit card details - we will never ask for this in a refund e-mail.
- The link points to a non-Inland Revenue address.
- Includes a specific dollar amount of refund.
- Strangely worded – says it is a return reminder, but then mentions a refund amount.
- Notes a weird tax period and dates.
Income tax assessment scams
4 June 2020
Details to remember about scams:
- We'll email you from an @ird.govt.nz or @ironline.ird.govt.nz address
- We'll never use x's in place of your actual IRD number in an email to you
- We'll never put a refund amount in an email
- We'll use the tax year from 1 April to 31 March in income tax assessments
Income tax update scam
22 July 2019
Details that show this is a scam:
- Not from an Inland Revenue email address
- No personalised greeting
- Includes a specific dollar amount of refund
- Includes a bogus IRD number
- The link points to a non-Inland Revenue address
- Strangely worded – says it is an income tax update but then talks about GST returns and refunds
Return due scam
16 July 2019
Details that show this is a scam:
- No personalised greeting
- The link points to a non-Inland Revenue address
- Includes a specific dollar amount of refund
- Strangely worded – says it is a return reminder, but then mentions a refund amount and overpayment
- Notes a weird tax period and dates
Overpayment IR3 scam
26 April 2019
Details that show this is a scam:
- From a strange non-IR address
- No personalised greeting
- Strangely worded - refers to both income tax and GST returns
- The link does not point to an Inland Revenue address
My business is here scam
3 April 2019
Details that show this is a scam:
- From a strange non-IR email address
- No personalised greeting
- Strangely worded
- Specific dollar amount or refund
- The link points to non-Inland Revenue address
